VNV Nation Matter + Form Metropolis Records vnvnation.com

For a few years now VNV have been making noise in the EBM (Electronic Body Music) community before sprouting off into a new genre that they’ve dubbed as “futurepop.”   Futurepop is basically a marriage between the two electronic forms EBM (Front 242) and synthpop (Depeche Mode), retaining some of the caustic elements of the former while incorporating some of the more melodic elements of the latter.  Such is a natural evolution of both musical forms and makes it easier to classify groups like VNV Nation, Covenant, and Apoptygma Bezerk that don’t fully fit in just either of the two genres from which this new genre has been spawned.

With “Chrome” VNV Nation have crafted the best futurepop song to date.  From the opening electric hum, the throbbing beats, the pulsing beeps, and to the impassioned lyrics the song works on every level.  It’s relentless and exhilarating even when it switches midway through to the coursing analogue synth lines.  In fact, even the shift in the music works perfectly, giving one the impression that this track is heralding what one would expect to be a groundbreaking release for the young genre.  

Unfortunately this isn’t the case, making VNV Nation the victims of their own success.  Instead, the result is a varied release, ranging from emotional ballads (“Arena”, “Perpetual”), pulsing instrumentals (“Strata” and its sister track “Interceptor”), to neoclassical-style pieces (“Colors of Rain”).  These are all good, accomplished tracks, but none of them live up to the vitality and urgency of “Chrome.”

For those hoping to hear an extension of the sound created in their previous release, Futureperfect, this just isn’t it.  There’s hope, as “Chrome” goes that next step and then some, butthe rest of the album pales in comparison, making the wait for VNV’s next release that much longer.

Key Tracks: "Chrome", "Strata"

Copyright © Michael A. Diaz